Reading, travel (much curtailed in recent years due to ill-health), Buddhism, listening to a wide variety of music, watching DVDs. talking people's ears off about the LotR films/books, visiting the TORn website every day, looking for the unexpected in flea markets, experimenting with new kinds of jams and jellies, participating in rallies and demonstrations about different political causes, especially Tibet. And I've actually knitted several sweaters in the past ;-)

First Lord of the Rings reading experience:

After reading and enjoying The Hobbit (in German) several times in my early teens, the LotR-trilogy in one volume (in English, fortunately) sat for years on my bookshelf, waiting to be read during my next stay in hospital which occurred in the summer of 2004. I actually had watched FotR and the first half of TTT (on video and in German) before reading the books so I had no preconceived notions about Frodo's age, looks etc. and therefore thoroughly enjoyed PJ's interpretation of what has since become my all-time favourite book, the one I would take to a deserted island if I was allowed only one.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Eowyn (in the books) because in my earlier years I very much felt like she does, frustrated, lonely, and needing to prove herself; and Faramir (in the films) because I know what it's like to never do anything right in the eyes of a critical father, yet he develops the insight and the strength to resist the temptation to take the ring to his father --- the one act that might have redeemed him in Denethor's eyes. (In the books he is almost too good to be true, and his renouncing the ring doesn't seem such a sacrifice.)